Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus received the prestigious ‘Champion of Global Change Award’ in recognition of his enlightened leadership and innovation to enhance human dignity, equity and justice.
The United Nations Foundation gave the award to Muhammad Yunus and Director-General of World Trade Organization Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a programme in New York recently, according to a statement.
The award recognises the extraordinary contributions of individuals and organisations striving to further the work of the UN and advance its goal of a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for everyone, everywhere.
The Awards were presented at “We The Peoples” event, named after the inspiring opening words of the UN Charter, and to honour the profound vision of the UN’s founders — to save future generations from the scourge of war, reaffirming the faith in human rights and equal rights, ensure justice and international law, and promote social progress and freedom.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed presented the award and interviewed professor Yunus on stage focusing on his campaign for creating a Three Zero World.
Previous honorees of Champion of Global Change Award included former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie.
